Thursday 21 October 2021
Limited visiting is allowed at Salisbury District Hospital in line with updated national guidance.
Although COVID restrictions in many settings have been lifted, Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance remain in place for all staff and visitors. That means NHS visitor guidance will stay in place to ensure patients and staff are protected.
Staff, patients and visitors are also expected to continue to follow social distancing rules when visiting as well as using face masks and other personal protection equipment. The need for visitors to wear additional PPE should be individually assessed.
To facilitate a more extended approach to visiting the Trust has agreed for visitors to the in-patient setting to increase as outlined below. This will not apply to all areas.
Alternatives to visiting must still be considered in an attempt to support a range of options for patients to maintain contact with relatives and/or those that are of importance to them.
Patients can be contacted by mobile phone and the Trust free Wi-Fi service allows the use of Skype, facetime and other similar services. Patients are also able to make use of the Hospedia service which is free to call UK landlines and gives 2 minutes free to UK mobiles.
Before visiting the visitor should:
– contact the ward department/service setting to discuss appropriate local arrangements
– be informed about what to expect when they see the patient and be given practical advice about social distancing, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and handwashing.
– parents/guardians must always wear a face mask when entering and moving through the healthcare setting and when a healthcare professional is treating their child/young person. If they are with their child and/or young person and within their ‘family bubble’ in side rooms or physical environments that afford separation, they can remove their face mask.
Visitors are encouraged to undertake lateral flow testing prior to visiting but you will not be asked for proof that you have done so. This does not apply to maternity services. Lateral flow tests are now freely available. Information on how you can get hold of lateral flow tests is here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/ or you can pick them up at your local chemist/pharmacy or at your local COVID-19 testing site.
Visiting a patient in a red (high) risk pathway
Parents/guardians must always wear a face mask when entering and moving through the healthcare setting and when a healthcare professional is treating their child/young person. If they are with their child and/or young person and within their ‘family bubble’ in side rooms or physical environments that afford separation, they can remove their face covering.
Visiting a patient in an amber (medium) and green (low) risk pathway
Visiting may be limited during increases in incidence and prevalence of COVID-19, however as cases decline and restrictions ease, visitors should be permitted to enter the hospital and required to follow infection prevention and control measures.
Visiting patients can take place and is not limited to a named individual. However, a maximum of two visitors at the bedside will be permitted but only within the allowance of a maximum number of people per bay which must be maintained (see below).
Maximum number per bay/single room (this includes patients and visitors but not staff)
Visitors are asked to sit at the furthest point away from the next patient’s bed.
Visitors can be ‘rotated’ to support longer visits but must leave the ward and departments during this time.
Visiting will need to be arranged prior to the visit and must be booked at least a day in advance with ward staff to avoid overcrowding.
The appointment booking can be made between 10.00 and 16.00 so the ward clerk can manage the administration and reduce the impact on clinical staff delivering care. However, the times for visiting can reflect the need of the ward and the visitors depending on the ward environment and to facilitate accessibility.
Exceptional circumstances
At times there may be circumstances that fall outside this guidance and require agreement on a case-by-case basis.
Visiting children and young people
Each child can be accompanied by one resident parent or carer only. The adult will be required in remain in the cubicle or bay with their child and wear a mask when professionals are present in the room. A second parent or carer will only be able to visit in exceptional circumstances as exemplified by breaking bad news or end of life care. This must be approved by the nurse in charge and duty consultant. No siblings can be accommodated for the visit. This arrangement also applies to the Sarum day assessment unit (CDAU).
NICU
NICU has a specific documented process for visitors with visiting times. To enquire regarding this, contact NICU directly
Radnor ICU
Visitors must contact Radnor directly.
The Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre
Visitors must contact the Centre directly for visiting guidance.
The Hospice
Visitors must contact the Hospice directly for visiting guidance.
End of Life Care
Please contact the ward directly before visiting who will do everything possible to support your visit.
Maternity appointments
Partners can accompany expectant mothers to appointments, but will be required to complete a lateral flow test at home prior to the appointment.
Dropping someone off at the hospital
When dropping off a friend or relative for an appointment at the hospital visitors are encouraged to remain in the car unless accompanying the patient is absolutely essential. This is to reduce footfall through the hospital and protect patients, staff and visitors.
Springs Restaurant & Hedgerows Café
The restaurant and café are now only available to Salisbury District Hospital pass holders– no public are allowed. This is to prioritise availability of meals to our staff and to reduce public footfall in the hospital. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Vending machines offering hot and cold beverages and a range of snacks are located on levels 3 and 4 of the main hospital building and directly outside of the Day Surgery Unit. These will continue to be available to both staff and visitors.
We ask for the public’s help in respecting these rules.
Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
